Longleaf Pine
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is the latest addition (an "epic" one) to Alamance County's park system. There are 2.5 miles of hiking, including access to the highest point (987 feet) in the county.
Ghost Pipes
An anomaly of the plant and fungus world, Indian or Ghost Pipes can be seen this time of year. Sometimes mistaken as a fungus, this flowering plant contains no chlorophyll and is parasitic to mycorrhizal fungi which feeds off the rootlets of trees.
Starting out, you are in a regenerating forest which has had a recent timber cut. this area has some Longleaf Pine seedlings. Plenty of fire ant hills to avoid here. This gives way to an older growth forest with some sizeable trees.
The trail winds its way up the mountain, getting rockier and rockier. Wear a good pair of boots.
After reaching the non descript summit, the way down is meandering. Two small creeks flow together and form a nice creek. A wooden bridge spans the creek.
The trail layout offers a shorter loop of about a mile. Signs direct hikers to hike in one direction. That works well in pandemic times.
Jack O'Lantern
Ramaria Coral Fungus
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